Clasp



{No Model.)

J. V. WASHBURNE;

CLASP; H

' Patented Feb. 4, 1 896,

INVENTOH W/ TNE SSE 8: MM 4. 5M.

A 7TOHNEY.

I ANDREW BLRM'IAM. PNGTO-LITHO.WASHINGTDND.C.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

JAMES V. IVASHBURNILOF MORRISON, ILLINOIS.

C LA'S P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 553,972, dated February 4, 1896.

Application filed May 1, 1895. Renewed January 2, 1896. Serial No. 574,15 7. (No model.)

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Morrison, in the county of lVhiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps or Fas teners, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to an improvement in clasps or fasteners, and more particularly to improvements upon the devices for which I received Letters Patent dated July 4, 1893, No. 500,640, and March 27, 1894, No. 517,084.

I have found in practice that in the patented clasps there is danger of the locking-lever, when in its open adjustment, being forced out of place, and also danger of the loopspring inserted between the plates of the frame being forced laterally from the proper position. The object of my present invention is to overcome this danger and remedy these and other defects; and with these ends in view it consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a face or front view of my improved clasp or fastener adapted for use in connection with key-chains and secured to the upper edge of apair of trousers. Fig. 2 is arear view thereof adapted for use in connection with watchchains. Fig.8 is a face view of the same. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, the locking-lever being closed or lowered. Fig.6 is a similar view with the locking-leverraised or opened. Fig. Gisasectional view taken on theline 6 6 of Fig. 5, looking toward the open end of the clasp. Fig. 7 is a view of the locking-lever detached from the clasp, and Fig. 8 is a view of the loop-spring.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the frame or body of the clasp, preferably consisting of a single piece of metal and bent into the form or shape shown-that is, U shapethereby forming the two plates or leaves (6 Z). If the clasp, however, is to be a double one, or, in other words, adapted for use as a collar button or fastener, the frame or body A will be made S shape, as fully 'orlooped at one endand consisting of the two leaves a d and opened at one end to correspond with the open end of said frame or body, the leaves or plates of said spring bearing or pressing against the inner sides or surfaces of the leaves or plates at b, the said plates 0 cl having at or near their extremities, if desired,

suitable projections o for more securely holding the cloth or material to which the fastener is attached. To assist in holding or securing the spring in its proper place or adjustment, I form in the plate a of the frame a recess 6, which, if desired, may extend entirely through said plate, and in which is fitted a tongue or projection f formed integral with the leaf 0 of the spring, said. tongue being preferably made by slitting said spring at some suitable point in its length and striking or bending the metal outwardly, as shown.

In the leaf or plate I) of the frame or body is formed a longitudinal opening I), at one end or extremity of which are formed the recesses or bearings b preferably formed by striking the metal of which the plate is made upwardly or outwardly. In the opening I) is fitted thev locking-lever 0, having substantially the same outline or contour of said opening, one end, m, of which is slightly bent or curved upwardly in order to facilitate the catching of the same when desired to raise or lift it, the opposite end of said lever 0 being bent at substantially right angles to its length, said lever, preferably where this bend occurs, being provided with the short trunnions or projections 0 which rest or fit in the recesses or pockets 7) formed in the plate I), and act as a fulcrum for said lever.

On theedge of the short end or arm a of the locking-lever is formed a lug or projection 0 adapted and arranged when the lever is-lowered or closed to fit in an elongated slot d, formed in the leaf or plate (Z of the spring, this construction and arrangement of the parts overcoming all danger of said spring being accidentally displaced or forced out of its proper position between the plates a b of the frame or body, the projection or tongue f fitting in the recess e on one side of said body and the projection or lug c on the short arm of the lever fitting in the slot formed in the opposite plate of the spring.

On the lever C, and immediately above or proper places within the bearings or recesses b when the lever is in its closed or lowered adjustment, the projection on the short end of said lever fitting in the slot (6, preventing any lateral movement of said spring and also that when raised the lever will be effectually held against any displacement by reason of the shoulders 0* fitting against or upon the raised pockets or bearings b on one side of i the plate 1), and by reason of the tension of the leaf (1 of the spring upon the short arm of the lever upon the opposite side of said plate I).

It will be evident that my improved clasp or fastener may be used in connection with watch-chains, key-chains, as a scarf-holder,

the. For the purpose of adapting it for use in connection with watch-chains, I form upon or secure to one of the plates or leaves of the frame a loop or projection g, in which is formed a hole or opening g to allow the end of the chain to be secured or attached thereto.

It will be evident, of course, without further description or illustration, that the hole or opening g may be formed in one of the plates or leaves of the frame itself without providing extra metal for a loop 9. In adapting the clasp or fastener for use in connection with key-chains I prefer to form the loop or opening upon the extreme end of one of the plates or leaves of the frame or body, as is illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. \Vhen the clasp or fastener is to be used as a scarf-holder, said loop g will be omitted.

In practice, when the clasp or fastener is to be attached to the clothing, the lever C will be lifted or raised, as shown in Fig. 5, thereby allowing the leaves or plates of the spring to fit or rest snugly against the inner walls or surfaces of the frame A. slipped over the edge of the garment, the cloth or material of which fits in between the two leaves or plates of the spring. The locking-lever C is then lowered or closed down into the opening I) in the leaf b, the short end The fastener is then of said lever pressing the leaf (1 of the spring toward the leaf 0, thereby crowding and ef' fectually binding the interposed garment between said leaves and effectually clamping or securing the fastener thereto.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is

l. A clasp or fastener consisting of a suitable frame, a spring located between the plates or leaves thereof and provided with an elongated slot, and a lever fitted to said frame and having the lug or projection formed on one end thereof, adapted to fit in the slot formed in said spring, for the purpose of holding the latter in its position, substantially as described.

A clasp or fastener consisting of a suitable frame having a slot or opening formed in one plate thereof, a bent lever fitted to said frame and in said opening, and having a projection on one end thereof, and a spring fitted in said frame, and provided with an elongated slot for receiving the lug or projection on the end of said lever, substantially as described.

A clasp or fastener consisting of a suitable frame, one plate or leaf of which is provided with an opening a spring inelosed within said frame, and a lever fitted in said opening, and bearing on said spring, and having shoulders or projections thereon to prevent said lever from being forced through said opening, substantially as described.

l. In a clasp or fastener the combination. with a suitable frame, one plate or leaf of which is provided with an opening of a spring inelosed within said frame, one plate of which is provided with a tongue or projection to fit in a corresponding recess or opening in said frame, and the opposite plate or leaf being provided with an elongated slot, a lever fitted in the opening in said frame and having one end thereof bent substantially at right angles to its length, and bearing on said spring, and provided with a lug or project-ion adapted to fit in the elongated slot in said spring, substantially as described.

5. A clasp or fastener constructed with a U shaped frame A, provided with a loop having a hole or opening therein for the attachment of a chain, a spring inelosed and locked within said frame, and slotted as shown, and a lever C fitted to the frame and engaging in the slot in said spring, substantially as described.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 27th day of April, A. D. 1895.

J AMES V. \VASHBURNE.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM P. Gonnnn, it. KENNEDY.

IIO 

